True Beauty (Paperback)

by Daniel Paisner (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
This combination memoir and self-help manual authored by a successful plus-size model with the assistance of writer Paisner, who collaborated with Montel Williams on Mountain, Get Out of My Way, is addressed to women whose larger shapes do not fit the cultural idea of a trim body. According to Emme, over 60% of American females wear, like herself, a size 12 or larger, but their self-esteem is constantly eroded by media images of thin, super-fit women. She details the sad but engaging story of growing up with a stepfather who constantly badgered her to lose weight. His insensitivity, combined with the untimely death of her mother, plunged her into years of obsessive eating behavior that she overcame by getting involved with crew rowing and building a career. Emme offers larger women some fairly superficial advice on building self-esteem and a positive attitude, as well as more useful information from a model's perspective on improving fitness, posture, makeup and dress.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
In three unique approaches, these books convince their readers to accept and enjoy their size 14-plus bodies. True Beauty is an autobiographical account of Emme, "the world's leading plus-size model." Her well-written story captivates the reader and presents a wonderful example of how a large woman can learn to be healthy, successful, and happy. This book is enjoyable and will appeal to those who like to read a story. In Well Rounded, Lippincott, another successful plus-size model, devises eight steps to follow to become happy with life in a large body. From accepting and enjoying your size (step 1), through getting to know your body (3) and assessing your body's strengths and weaknesses (4) to a discussion of movement and exercise (8), her advice is both practical and esteem-building. Each step includes a toolbox of activities to perform. This book will appeal to those who want an outline or guide explaining how to achieve their goal. Therapist Erdman (Nothing To Lose, HarperSanFrancisco, 1995) presents ideas to help women accept and enjoy their large bodies. Each page consists of an idea, a brief paragraph describing that idea, an affirmation, and an activity. This book will appeal to those who are searching for an ongoing program of development and reinforcement. All three books include sections for recommended readings and resources. Each will appeal to a different kind of reader, though True Beauty and Well Rounded may be best formatted for libraries.?Elizabeth Caulfield Felt, Washington State Univ. Lib., Pullman
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Perigee Trade; Reprint edition (March 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399523839
• ISBN-13: 978-0399523830
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,649,322 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Another first person account of life in the fat lane., December 28, 1998

By A Customer

What a disappointment. Looking to read about a real woman, and get some good ideas for dressing and presenting oneself with confidence, one receives some whining and some pictures of a thin very pretty girl, then a heavier very pretty girl. Instead of sparking a revolution in women's image, we have a spectacular salesperson for larger clothes. This is not about real people, or our problems with weight and looking and feeling good. It's about a very pretty size 14-16 with a very well proportioned shape. Maybe I'm just too old (46) but I wanted the promise of the title. No positive attitudes, merely platitudes- no new practical tips. I feel I wasted my money.

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!, August 10, 1999

By A Customer

When I read this book, I felt Emme was describing my childhood. My father was also obsessed with his weight, and consequently, his childrens' too. He had a stroke when he was just 39. From then on, every meal began with "how many calories to you think this is" and ended with "if you keep eating like that, you'll get fat". He kept a food diary. We switched to non-fat milk, margariane and ice milk. He started watching me for signs that I was getting fat, and when he saw them, he was quick to point them out and offer "help". He did the same thing with my younger sister, who was actually quite skinny until she hit puberty. The skinny people where also under constant scrutiny. We were all became painfully aware of body size and very self concsience. To this day, and I am now almost 50 years old, his first comment to me after not seeing me in a while, is about my weight. I went through the same cycle of trying to starve myself and then eating everything in sight. I was successful in starving myself into a size 12 until I hit thirty and had my second child. Then the weight started creeping up. I have also found that the only thing that truly works is to love yourself first, then exercise regularly and eat sensibly. Diets sure don't work. I have tried them all. Lost the same 50 lbs. over and over again. As a parent, I was very aware of the messages I gave my children about their physical bodies. I never wanted them to clean their plates, but if they were hungry, I let them have a snack. Snacks were strictly forbidden in both my childhood home and my husband's. My husband and I have taken a good deal of critism for this, let me tell you. But I have two beautiful, grown children, who I hope, are much more comfortable with their bodies than I ever was or still am for that matter. We need to become much more tolerant of our differences. Racism is now found to be intolerable, but it is still OK to call someone fat.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars What a bore!, April 16, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: True Beauty (Hardcover)

Yet again, readers can hear the tired ideas about self-esteem, and receive the message that a plus-size lady can do whatever she pleases ... as long as it is exercise. Emme further reinforces the absurd stereotypes about "relationships with food" in her childhood reminiscences. Enough! In an era where so many women are obsessed with food, we do not need more time to dwell on the matter. Let's feed and exercise our intelligence for a change.